Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ruoyun Liu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ruoyun thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

The most impactful thing my parents did was trust my choices and support me unconditionally. This belief gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for music, even when the path was unconventional.

In high school, I attended an international school but struggled with mental health issues that made it hard to keep up. While most peers prepared for academic majors abroad, I realized I wanted to study music. I set a long-term goal to attend Berklee College of Music but decided to first attend China’s top music conservatory to build my foundation.

I planned everything on my own and convinced my father to support my decision to transfer from an international school to an arts-focused high school. He never questioned my choice. With his support, I was admitted to Sichuan Conservatory and, later, achieved my dream of joining Berklee’s graduate program, where only 10 students from China are accepted annually.

His trust taught me to believe in myself and take ownership of my dreams—values that continue to guide me in my career and life.

Ruoyun, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am an independent R&B fusion artist from Beijing, China. My musical journey began at the age of 3 when I started learning classical piano, and by 6, I had already discovered my passion for singing. In high school, I decided to pursue music professionally after learning about specialized arts programs and developing a deep love for R&B. This led me to study at a music conservatory, where I expanded my skills, explored jazz, and began learning pop keyboard techniques, jazz vocals, and songwriting.

After graduating, I applied to the Songwriting & Production graduate program at Berklee College of Music, where I honed my craft further, particularly in arranging and producing my own music.

Currently, I create music that blends R&B and pop with club rhythms such as drum & bass, Jersey club, UK garage, and house. My debut EP, set to release in late 2025, centers on themes of self-exploration and healing. It reflects my personal growth and includes collaborations with talented musicians from around the world, inspired by the incredible experiences I’ve had at Berklee.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One resource that has had a profound impact on my thinking is *The Creative Act* by Rick Rubin. This book delves deeply into the essence of artistic creation, offering insights that go far beyond music and apply to all forms of creativity. Rubin emphasizes the importance of embracing vulnerability and staying open to inspiration, even when it comes from unexpected places. He also highlights how reducing self-judgment can unlock more authentic and impactful creativity, and that true innovation often emerges when we dare to step out of our comfort zones.

I’m still reading this book because it feels so precious to me that I don’t want to rush through it. Many of its ideas compel me to pause and reflect, while at the same time, I’m eager to keep uncovering its wisdom. This is not just a guide to artistic creation—it’s also a reminder to approach life and entrepreneurial challenges with a fresh and open perspective. Many of its principles resonate deeply with my own thoughts, while others offer eye-opening insights that have shifted my understanding in meaningful ways.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I believe there is. From the past to now, I’ve always envisioned this: on an evening after returning home, someone curled up on the couch hears a song and feels that the music has either soothed the fatigue of their day or amplified their happiness in that moment. It’s a sense of companionship. I want to create songs that evoke that feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ritaliu.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ritaliuu/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ritaliuuu
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rita-366629579
• Other: redbook: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/574bbe2f5e87e7143ced2f3a?xsec_token=YB0fsPb0X4u8InT5sYLCPUicC3PmDMkLKVXfM8HPDE8Jc=&xsec_source=app_share&xhsshare=CopyLink&appuid=574bbe2f5e87e7143ced2f3a&apptime=1736453333&share_id=590ddfb368a749b892d1358b99c58eae

Image Credits

Maruco，Yu Li